The R129 was based on the shortened floorpan of the Mercedes-Benz W124 and featured many innovative details for the time, for instance electronically controlled damping (optional) and a hidden, automatically expanding roll-over bar. The R107’s rather dated rear diagonal swing axle gave way to a modern multi-link axle. The number of standard features was high, with electric action for the windows, mirrors, seats and hood. Initially, there were three different engines available, the 300 SL with 3L 12-valve straight 6 (190 PS (187 hp/140 kW) at 5700 rpm), the 300 SL-24 with a 24-valve version of said engine (231 PS (228 hp/170 kW) at 6300 rpm) and the 500 SL with 5L-V8 engine (326 PS (322 hp/240 kW) at 5500 rpm), joined in July, 1992 by the 12-cylinder 600 SL ((394 PS (389 hp/290 kW) @ 5200 rpm). While for the six-cylinder cars there was a choice of 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic, the V8 and V12 could only be ordered with the latter gearbox. In autumn 1993 Mercedes rearranged names and models. The 300 SL was replaced by the 24-valve SL 280 and SL 320 (with 2.8 L and 3.2 L I6 engines, only the 280 being available with a manual gearbox). SL 500 and 600 continued with their respective powerful engines. 1995 saw a mild facelift concerning head- and taillights and several new features adopted as standard: side air bags, automatic climate control and ESP, among other things. HID headlights were newly optional, as was a full-glass hardtop. A second facelift, introduced in late …
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